Up Close and Personal with a Moose

The canoe slices through the water as silent as a shadow,  it's occupants stare intently at the distant shoreline where a moose browses on succulent water plants. 

Their paddles move in unison; slow powerful strokes propel the water craft toward the unsuspecting undulate. 

Moving to a distance of less than 100 meters, the bow canoeist stows his paddle and raises his weapon; a fully loaded Panasonic action camera. Slowly he raises the camera and presses the record button. 

The canoe drifts to within 20 meters of the cow moose as she continues her search for nutrient rich aquatic plants. 

Breathing becomes hard as excitement courses through the man's body; the Panasonic trembles in his hand as he trains the lens on the largest of Ontario's wild undulates. 

The canoe drifts into the shoreline, silent and unobtrusive, it now floats within 10 meters of the large mammal.

The two humans are now within the cows energy zone and she senses them. Looking over her shoulder, she sees a strange log which has drifted into her world. 

The humans freeze; they are well aware that if the moose decides a threat is imminent, she could seek to defend herself. The canoe and it's occupants would have no chance of evasion. 

The moose stares for a few moments at the two humans who drifted into her life; flaring her nostrils slightly, she breaths in the pheromones' released by the people within the canoe. 

Deciding there is no threat, she dips her mouth into the water and ingests one more delicious helping of water lily before silently disappearing into the surrounding forest. 

An opportunity to share the same air as a wild animal is rare and should be savored. Lowering your energy level allows you to blend into the wilderness.

Fear and Ego will destroy any chance you have of feeling the power of the wilderness. Learning to control those two emotions is vital to your success at becoming an integral part of your surroundings.

When you are fearful, the wild ones will not sense it as fear, they will sense it as aggression. The instinct to fight or flee will be triggered and any chance you have of interacting with them will be mitigated. 

Please be aware that you must know your subject. A moose is powerful and can move as fast as a race horse when it is threatened. It is imperative that you approach any wild one with respect and without expectation. 

Living life out here is full of surprises and imbues you with a sense of belonging which can't be found elsewhere. 

Happy wandering.